Railway switch point connection



Sept 17, 1957 R. w. HEWES 0 8 RAILWAY SWITCH POINT CONNECTION Filed May 21. 1956 IN V EN TOR.

IR.W.HEWES HIS ATTORNEY Uite States Patent RAILWAY SWITCH POINT CONNECTION Ralph W. Hewes, Rochester, N. Y., assignor to General Railway Si nal Company, Rochester, N. Y.

Application May 21, 1956, Serial No. 586,271

5 Claims. (Cl. 246-452) This invention relates to railway switch point connections and more particularly pertains to a front rod connection which is positioned between the leading ends of the switch points of a railway track switch.

in usual practice, these switch points rest on tie plates and are individually hinge connected at their heel ends to the rigid track rails, the switch points being spaced apart and tied together by switch rods at various points throughout their length. Upon lateral movement of the switch points by a switch throwing device, the leading end of one of the switch points will bear against one of the main stock rails in accordance with the position of the switch.

' As these switch points merely have their bases resting on the tie p.ates to permit sliding movement, it is necessary that the connecting switch rods be sturdy and of sufficient cross section throughout their length to maintain the switch points in an upright position. This is very desirable especially at the leading end of a switch point as tilting or rolling of the switch point away from the main stock rail might cause derailment.

This type of rigid construction presents a problem as movement of the switch assembly in a lateral direction causes stresses which distort the switch rods and switch points because of the fact that each switch point is individually hinged at its heel end. Not only is the distortion objectionable but it requires much more force to move the switch points in opposition to these stresses. Various attempts have been made to alleviate these bending stresses by introducing pivot points, ball and socket joints or the like at the ends of the switch rods, such proposed means comprising structures which are subject to considerable wear and require frequent adjustments and replacements of parts. Also, such structures are quite expensive to manufacture as machined parts and bearings are necessary.

The present invention contemplates a switch point connecting rod having a flexible portion at each end near the point of connection to the switch point. These flexible portions are constructed by winding the full cross section of the material circularly to form a helical torsion spring of one and one quarter turns. These helical spring portions permit torsion movement and are capable of absorbing the distortion caused by lateral movement of the switch assembly. This construction also causes the extreme ends of the rod to be angularly displaced and elevated to provide aligned connections to the switch points, the main switch rod assembly being positioned below the base of the rails for clearance purposes.

One object of the present invention is the provision of a switch point connecting rod having the proper rigidity to sustain the switch points in an upright position and having flexible portions formed therein capable'of absorbing any distortion caused by lateral movement of the switch points, the same being accomplished without the use of pivot pins, bearings and like parts which are subject to wear, adjustment and replacement.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a switch point connecting rod which may be po ,and ties 14 in the usual manner.

sitioned below the base of the rails and switch points as required for clearance purposes and still have its ends properly elevated and aligned for connection to the switch points, all without the use of any additional switch lugs and such.

Other objects, purposes and characteristic features of the present invention will be in part obvious from the accompanying drawings and in part pointed out as the description of the invention progresses.

In describing the invention in detail, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings in which corresponding reference characters designate corresponding parts in the diiferent views, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the leading end of a typical railway track switch showing a switch rod constructed in accordance with the present invention connected between the switch points;

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the track switch shown in Fig. 1 with the main stock rails in section and shows a side elevation of the switch rod of the present invention connected between the switch points; and

Pig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the angle bracket members of the switch rod of the present invention showing the structural formation thereof.

With reference to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows a typical switch layout wherein the main stock rails 11 and 12 are supported on and connected to the railroad tie plates 13 The track switch 18 shown as having a normally closed movable switch point 15 and a normally open movable switch point 16. These switch points 15 and 16 are hinge connected to the main rails at their heel ends in the usual way (not shown) and rest on the tie plates 13. Tie rods are connected between these switch points 15 and 16 at intervals throughout their length to properly space them' and hold them in alignment with respect to the main stock rails 11 and 12, the distance between the open switch point 16 and the rail 12 being approximately equal to the throw of the switch throwing device (not shown) when the switch is in its open position as shown. Only two of these switch tie rods have been shown, the front rod FR which is connected to the very tips of the leading end of the switch points 15 and 16 and the number one rod or main operating rod 1R which is located a short distance to the rear of the front rod PR.

The number one rod or operating rod IR is the rod which is connected to the switch throwing device (not shown) and may be of any well-known type and for example has been shown as the type disclosed in the patent to E. C. Larry, No. 2,584,719 dated February 5, 1952. Reference may be made to this patent for a complete description of same and it is believed only a brief description is necessary herein.

Generally speaking, the switch rod 1R comprises two identical bar members 17 of rectangular cross section disposed on edge under the rails 11 and 12 and the switch points 15 and 16 and'connected together end-to-end by means of a throw rod connector 18, a plate 19 and bolts 20. The outer end of each bar member is provided with saw tooth serrations 21 to which is adjustably connected a bearing bracket 22. Pivotally journaled in each bearing bracket 22 in an upright position is a switch lug 23 which has its free end bent at right angles to facilitate connection to its respective switch point 15 or 16 by.

means of bolts 24-. A throw rod 25 is connected at one end to the throw rod connector 18 and at its other end to a switch throwing device (not shown). The adjustable connections between the bar members 17. and the bearing brackets ZZare provided to facilitate adjustment of. the spacing between the switchjpoints. so thatthe closed switch point is held tightly against its associated main stock rail when the switch throwing device is in either of its extreme operated positions.

The main purpose and function of the front rod PR is to provide a suitable connection which will properly space, align and hold in an upright position the leading ends of the switch points and 16. The extreme tips of these switch points are of necessity comparatively thin and approximately the same height as the rail with the result that there is a tendency for them to roll and tilt away from the head of the rail when under the closing pressure of the switch throwing device unless they are rigidly supported. With the switch points being individually hinged at their heel ends, the switch structure is such that when the two switch points are moved laterally back and forth from one position to the other, their leading ends and the rigid switch rod connecting them to gether are subject to certain stresses because the degree of angle between them must change. Without provision being made to counteract these stresses, this would cause distortion either in the switch rod or the leading ends of the switch points, with the result that the tip of the closing switch point would not properly close against the main stock rail. Also, more power would be required to move the switch in opposition to these stresses.

Referring now to the front rod FR which is constructed in accordance with the present invention, there has been shown a structure in simple form comprising a left-hand portion consisting of an angle bracket 30 and a two-piece right-hand portion consisting of a straight bar 31 and an angle bracket 32 fastened together by means of a suitable adjustable connection. These right and left-hand portions are made of rectangular cross section bar stock and are fastened together end-to-end by means of a connector comprising a lug plate 33, a flat plate 34 and bolts 35. The connection may or may not be an insulated connection as desired.

The angle brackets 30 and 32 each have a resilient mid-portion 36 therein formed by winding the full cross section of the bar into the shape of a helical torsion spring of one and one quarter turns as shown in Fig. 3. This construction forms a bracket having its end portions disposed substantially at right angles to each other with the end portion 37 located on a higher plane than the plane of the switch rod proper.

When assembled, the complete front rod FR is positioned horizontally on edge between the switch points 15 and 16 and below the bottom of the rails. The elevated end portions 37 are now aligned with and fastened to the switch points 15 and 16 by bolts 38. The above mentioned adjustable connection between the straight bar 31 and the angle bracket 32 provides a means whereby the front rod FR may be adjusted to the proper length to correctly space the leading ends of the switch points 15 and 16. This adjustable connection consists in having the contacting faces of the bar 31 and bracket 32 provided with saw tooth serrations 39 and transverse slotted holes 40 herein whereby bolts 41 are passed therethrough and tightened up. The serrations 39 permit minute spacing adjustments to be made and prevent slippage when assembled. The lug plate 33 is provided with a lug 42 to facilitate attachment of a point detector rod 43. This rod 43 is connected to a suitable point detector or circuit controlling device (not shown) as desired for providing switch indications. In installations where switch indications are not required, the rod 43 may be omitted.

As previously explained, when movement of the switch points from contact with one rail to contact with the other rail occurs, because of the fact that each switch point is hinged individually, certain stresses are set up which have a tendency to distort the front rod FR and the leading ends of the switch points 15 and 16. In the front rod just described and comprising the present invention, provision has been made to absorb this distortion through the medium of the helical torsion spring portions of the switch rod without disturbing the alignment of the switch rod or the switch points. Even though the switch rod is constructed of heavy bar stock and is disposed on edge to properly support the switch points in an upright position, it can readily be seen that the degree of angle in the angle brackets 30 and 32 can vary in accordance with the switch movements merely by a winding or unwinding motion in the helical torsion spring portions 36 of the angle brackets 30 and 32.

The front rod arrangement provided by the present invention thus meets all the requirements of practice without the use of journal pins, bearings, switch lugs, and the like which are subject to considerable wear and which require adjustments and replacements at frequent intervals. It should be apparent that the adjusting means shown in the right hand portion of the front rod FR could just as well be located in the left hand portion, or if desired, an adjusting means could be located in both portions. Also, it should be understood that the principle of the invention may also be applied to the main operating rod 1R instead of using the pivot type connections now shown in Fig. l. Specifically, this can be done merely by substituting angle brackets 32 in place of the journalled fittings 22 and their associated switch lugs 23. Angle brackets 32 and bars 17 would, of course, have to be adapted to be adjustably jointed.

Having thus shown and described a means for connecting the points of a track switch as one specific embodiment of the present invention, it is desired to be understood that this form is selected to facilitate in the disclosure of the invention rather than to limit the number of forms which the invention may assume, and it is to be further understood that various adaptations, alterations and modifications may be applied to the specific form shown to meet the requirements of practice without in any manner departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention except as limited by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A connecting means for connecting a switch rod to a switch point comprising, a bracket of substantially rectangular cross sections having a flexible central portion and two end portions disposed substantially at right angles to each other, said flexible central portion being formed in the shape of a helical torsion spring having more than one full turn therein, one of said end portions being rigidly fastened to said switch point, the other of said end portions being adjustably fastened to said switch rod, said one end portion being located on a different horizontal plane than the other of said end portions; whereby the degree of angle between said switch point and said switch rod is permitted to vary upon movement of said switch point.

2. A railway switch point connecting rod comprising, a switch rod having a bracket attached to each end there- ,of, each bracket being fastened at its free end to a railway switch point in a manner to tie said switch points together, said brackets each having their central portions wound circularly to form a helical torsion spring therein, the end portions of each of said brackets being disposed at substantially right angles to each other and situated on different horizontal planes to position said switch rod below said switch point, said helical torsion spring portions permitting flexibility in said connecting rod upon movement of said switch points.

3. A connecting means for connecting and adjustably spacing two switch points of a railway track switch comprising, a switch rod of substantially rectangular cross section disposed on edge between and below said switch points, two brackets of substantially rectangular cross section each having a flexible central portion formed in the shape of a helical spring causing its two end portions to be disposed substantially at right angles to each other and to be located on different horizontal planes, said two brackets being disposed on edge and connected one to each end of said switch rod anditsadjacent said switch point whereby said switch points are positioned and held in an upright position, at least one of said connections to said switch rod having an adjusting means to permit proper spacing of said switch points, another bracket member attached to said switch rod to facilitate connecting said switch points to a remotely located control device, said helical spring portions permitting flexibility in said connecting means upon movement of said switch points.

4. A railway switch point connecting rod comprising, two angle bracket members connected one to each end of a straight bar member, the free ends of said angle bracket members being connected to their respective adjacent switch points, the central portion of each angle bracket member being formed in the shape of a helical torsion spring, said two angle bracket members providing a means for attaching said connecting rod to said switch points at the proper level in proper alignment and permitting flexibility in said connecting rod upon movement of said switch points.

5. A railway switch point connecting rod comprising, two angle bracket members and a straight bar member of substantially rectangular cross section connected together and disposed on edge between a pair of railway switch points, the free ends of said two angle bracket members being connected one to each of said switch points, one end of said straight bar member being attached to one of said angle bracket members by rigid connecting means having a lug thereon to facilitate connection to a remote control device, the other end of said straight bar member being attached to the other of said angle bracket members by adjustable means to facilitate spacing of said switch points, the central portion of each of said angle bracket members being formed in the shape of a helical torsion spring having more than one turn therein, the end portions of each of said angle bracket members being located on different horizontal planes, said two angle bracket members providing a means for attaching said connecting rod to said switch points in a manner wherein said switch points are maintained upright, said connecting rod is positioned on a plane lower than said switch points, and said helical spring portions provide flexibility in said connecting rod upon lateral movement of said switch points.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 341,057 Schelp May 4, 1886 

